Satoru Iwata recently confirmed that the latest handheld gaming device from Nintendo, the 3DS, will have an easily accessible toggle button that will allow users to turn off the 3D capabilities at will, not only due to health concerns such as the possibility of damaging the eyesight of children and adults, but also because he understands that not everyone can perceive a 3D image.
“This isn’t limited just to kids,” Iwata explained. “But we’re aware one in some tens of people, including adults, has difficulty with three dimensional visuals. So, while the 3D image is a special feature of the 3DS, we won’t force the player to use the 3D functionality.”
Upon participating in a Q&A session with investors, Iwata has also confirmed that the Nintendo 3DS is not the official name of the device.
“We’ve said that it will be released during this term, so the announcement of the formal name will not be too far off.”
He also disagreed with the notion that development of 3D games would require higher development costs.
I would expect the announcement of the ‘formal’ name of the 3DS at E3. But I gotta admit, I kind of like the sound of 3DS. It rolls off the tongue. It also makes you wonder why would a person who cannot play a title in 3D want to purchase a 3DS? Why not choose from the DS family? You could come up with several reasons (such as exclusive titles, or maybe Nintendo has something else up their sleeve) but it’s just a thought.
Canon has just released the Digital IXUS 300HS (also known as Powershot SD4000 IS) ultra compact high performance digital camera. It is a unique IXUS model with a fast f/2.0 aperture at 28m wide (35mm equiv.) and sports manual exposure modes such as shutter / aperture priority . It has all the other latest gizmo’s that I’ve listed below and I don’t normally say this for digitcal cameras but the IXUS 300 HS just looks fantastic! Love the design. Both front and back and all over. Looks very high tech and minimalistic at the same time. I think Canon has a sure winner on their hands with this one.
Main highlights are as follows:
– A new 10MP 1/2.3″ high sensitivity CMOS sensor
– Fast f/2.0 at 28mm (35mm equiv), 3.8x lens with optical Image Stabilizer (28-105mm F2.0-5.3)
– 720p HD H.264 video recording at 30fps with stereo audio and HDMI output
– Super slow motion video recording that records at 240fps and plays back at 30fps (320×240)
– High speed continuous burst photos of 8.4fps at 2.5MP resolution
– New Fish eye effect and tilt/shift miniture effects for enhanced creativity
– Wide 3.0 inch LCD with 230k pixels
I for one love fast/bright lenses. This IXUS 300HS has a very nice f2.0 at a wide angle 28mm focal length. This would be great for indoors as compared to most other similar class cameras, it is at least a full stop faster in aperture. Also, it should be able to produce nicer looking closeups with its shallower depth of field. Looking at some image samples that are available on the Canon USA website, at ISO125, it seems to rival DSLRs with its butter smooth but detailed photos even when viewed at 100%.
720P HD recording is now becoming the standard for most mid-high class digital cameras and the IXUS 300HS doesn’t disappoint either. Combined with HDMI output will allow you to simply plug the cable into your TV/Monitor and watch the videos you’ve recorded in HD quality without any need for a dedicated player or a PC. The 2 new effects that Canon IXUS 300HS includes are quite interesting also as they are not very common and does provide you wil some very unique looking photos as can be seen below.
Canon IXUS 300HS will be available in 4 colours (black, silver, red, white) but this may be different depending on which country you are in. So keep a look out for one as it looks like it’ll be one great little compact camera to have in your pocket. It should be available here in Australia by the end of May. Price is yet to be announced.
More information, full technical specs and some sample photos can be found atCanon USA website.
G’day everyone, Playstation Store Spring FEVER updates continue are up and available for everyone to enjoy. Quite a few price updates to check out just below. Have a look around, there should be something for everyone this week. Let us know what your going to pick up this week.
Special note : POPCAP & Midway have a cool Spring Fever Bundle at the moment, if you don’t have any of these games I would recommend you picking them up, check it out below :
Thanks SONY WE HEART YOU !! 😉
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PopCap Spring Fever Bundle ($24.99)
Kick off the spring season with all your PopCap favorites brought to you by Sony Online Entertainment! Can’t decide which game you want? Get them all! The PopCap Spring Fever Bundle includes Bejeweled 2, Peggle, Zume, Heavy Weapon, and Feeding Frenzy 2 Shipwreck Showdown, so get yours now for some crazy unbeatable fun!
ESRB Rated E10+
Midway Spring Fever Bundle ($14.99) Celebrate spring with all your favorite classic Midway games, brought to you by Sony Online Entertainment and available for one week only! Get ready to re-live all of the classics. The Midway bundle includes Mortal Kombat II, Championship Sprint, Gauntlet II, Joust, and Rampage World Tour!
ESRB Rated E-M
Updates
Tetris minis Sale (now $6.99, original price $9.99)
Zombie Tycoon minis Sale [Also available in French] (now $2.99, original price $7.99)
Section 8 Sale (now $14.99, original price $29.99)
Tokyo Police PS3 & PSP Theme Permanent Price Drop (now $0.99, original price $1.99)
Echoes minis Permanent Price Drop (now $0.99, original price $2.99)
Unbound Saga Permanent Price Drop (now $4.99, original price $9.99)
Free Gravity Crash Dynamic Theme with purchase of Gravity Crash (Full Game) ($9.99)Qore
Qore Episode 24: May 2010 ($2.99)
Episode 24 of Qore: Presented by the PlayStation Network jumps into the action with Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands, dukes it out with UFC champ Jens Pulver, takes it to the next level in LittleBigPlanet 2, and returns to PlayStation Home.
File size: 1.73 GB
Qore Annual Subscription: May 2010 ($24.99)
Qore: Presented by the PlayStation Network is a monthly interactive video production covering the world of PlayStation. Qore provides its audience with exclusive behind-the-scenes access to developers and their games, from both the SCE Worldwide Studios and the third-party community, where the audience member can freely navigate through the content.
File size: 1.73 GB
Downloadable Games
World Of Outlaws Sprint Cars ($19.99)
World of Outlaws Sprint Cars is the first game that lets you race on your favorite dirt tracks, against your favorite sprint car drivers or your friends online. Your career will take your across the country to build your racing empire. Win races, win cash and sponsorships to upgrade your car. See if you have the stamina to be the next World of Outlaws Champion..
ESRB Rated E
File size: 1.88 GB
Game Demos (free)
Split/Second Demo
In Split/Second you trigger devastating explosions to decimate drivers and change the track!
ESRB Rated E10+
File size: 752 MB
Add-on Game Content
LittleBigPlanet: More Animals! – Hippo ($0.99)
The best thing about SackBoy is that you can make him look and act exactly as you want. Download the the “More Animals!” Hippo Costume today! NOTE: to download this costume, you must already own LittleBigPlanet.
File size: 1.04 MB
LittleBigPlanet: More Animals! – Fly ($0.99)
The best thing about SackBoy is that you can make him look and act exactly as you want. Download the the “More Animals!” Fly Costume today! NOTE: to download this costume, you must already own LittleBigPlanet.
File size: 1.04 MB
LittleBigPlanet: More Animals! – Turtle ($0.99)
The best thing about SackBoy is that you can make him look and act exactly as you want. Download the the “More Animals!” Turtle Costume today! NOTE: to download this costume, you must already own LittleBigPlanet.
File size: 1.04 MB
LittleBigPlanet: More Animals! – Peacock ($0.99)
The best thing about SackBoy is that you can make him look and act exactly as you want. Download the the “More Animals!” Peacock Costume today! NOTE: to download this costume, you must already own LittleBigPlanet.
File size: 1.04 MB
LittleBigPlanet: More Animals! – Costume Pack ($2.99)
The best thing about SackBoy is that you can make him look and act exactly as you want. Download the the “More Animals!” Costume Pack today and get the Hippo, Fly, Peacock, and Turtle costumes! NOTE: to download this costume, you must already own LittleBigPlanet.
File size: 1.04 MB
Bioshock 2: Exclusive Characters ($1.99)
Passion, drama and adventure. Find yours with 2 brave new characters for the multiplayer experience. Mlle Blanche de Glace, the internationally acclaimed actress, or Zigo D’Acosta, one of Rapture’s great sailors.
File size: 101 KB
Bioshock 2: Kill ‘Em Kindly (free)
What’s your golf handicap? Take this chance to turn your handicap into your enemy’s with this fresh melee mode where every blunt object is a golf club. No putting.
File size: 8.81 MB
Bioshock 2: Rapture Metro ($9.99)
As one of our valued Sinclair Solutions testers, we specially invite you to enjoy the pleasure of Rebirth! But only if you are truly dedicated and fully ranked up. However all testers are eligible for the 6 new maps in Rapture Metro.
File size: 1027 MB
DJ Hero – Domination Mix Pack DLC ($7.99)
Downloadable Mix Pack for DJ Hero featuring Wolfgang Gartner, Danny Byrd, Darude, and Josh Wink.
File size: 62 MB
Lost Planet 2 Map Pack #1 ($4.99)
Download two new battlegrounds in this Map Pack for LOST PLANET 2. In “Helix,” fight in a multilayered NEVEC ocean research facility at the bottom of the ocean. “Back to the Island” brings the new weapons and abilities of LP2 back to Island 902, a remake of the classic map from the original LOST PLANET.
File size: 74 MB
Super Street Fighter IV: Super Shoryuken Costume Pack ($3.99)
Download the second pack of alternate costumes for Super Street Fighter IV! New costumes for Ryu, Ken, Gouken, Dan and Akuma are included. Mix things up with your favorite Shotokan characters! Only available for use with Super Street Fighter IV.
File size: 100 KB
Batman: Arkham Asylum Game Of The Year Edition: Play As The Joker Challenge Map Pack (free)
Become The Joker in Challenge Maps only available on the PlayStation 3 computer entertainment system. Experience a whole new set of unique fighting moves as well as Joker’s demented tricks and gadgets. This downloadable content is for the Game of the Year Edition only!
File size: 107 MB
Batman: Arkham Asylum Game Of The Year Edition: Prey In The Darkness Map Pack (free)
Test your combat and Invisible Predator skills in 2 new locations, the Arkham Pumping Station and the Abandoned Glasshouse. This downloadable content is for the Game of the Year Edition only.
File size: 70 MB
Batman: Arkham Asylum: Crime Alley Challenge Map ($3.49)
Experience the unique FreeFlow combat system in this all new Combat Challenge Map, set in the iconic Gotham location of Crime Alley. You will face 4 consecutive waves of The Joker’s henchmen armed with a range of weapons.
File size: 54 MB
Batman: Arkham Asylum: Dem Bones Challenge Map ($3.49)
Enter this villain’s nightmarish world and experience a unique combat challenge that will test you to the very limits.
File size: 43 MB
Skate 3: Time Is Money Pack ($6.99)
If you are busy, or just plain lazy, Time is Money will unlock all locations, skaters and gear, and Skate.Park objects that can be earned by playing through Skate 3’s career and online modes.
File size: 1.52 MB
Nier: The World Of Recycled Vessel ($6.99)
The diary of Nier’s wife opens a gate to a strange world where an unnamed warrior battles powerful Shades. Engage in 15 nightmarish battles to unlock bonus costumes, weapons, and a special quest.
File size: 470 MB
Record Of Agarest War: Add-On Dungeon 5: Generation 5 Deep Forest Naruvia (free)
An add-on dungeon for generation 5. Embark on one last adventure into the [Deep Forest Naruvia]!
File size: 2.33 MB
Record Of Agarest War: Item Pack 5: Ellis Kit (free)
We’ve prepared five items that increase your magical power. This powerful kit comes with [Adaka], [Shield Sword], [Bird Eye], [Magic Frame], and [Seed of Happiness]. It’s a must-have for any aspiring sorcerer.
File size: 2.33 MB
Record Of Agarest War: Item Pack 6: Power Up (free)
Assorted items for increasing one’s stats. It contains two each of [STR Up], [VIT Up], [INT Up], [AGI Up], [LUK Up], and [Max. HP Up] . Train your favorite character with this set.
File size: 2.33 MB
Record Of Agarest War: Points Pack 2: Service Point Pack (free)
A set containing 5,000G and a whole bunch of ability points (50PP, 500TP, and 500EP). This special package has more stuff than the Trial point package.
File size: 2.33 MB
“Take the Money and Run” by Steve Miller Band ($1.99)
Classic Rock Track Pack 3 ($5.49) – Downloadable Track Pack featuring “Juke Box Hero” by Foreigner, “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, and “Take the Money and Run” by Steve Miller Band. Please Note: Many songs are available both as singles and as part of a Track Pack, so please carefully consider your purchases before downloading.
“Face Down” by Alpha Rev ($1.99)
“Low Day” by Capra ($1.99)
“You’re All I Have” by Snow Patrol ($1.99)
Alternative Pop Track Pack ($5.49) – Downloadable Track Pack featuring “Face Down” by Alpha Rev, “Low Day” by Capra, and “You’re All I Have” by Snow Patrol. Please Note: Many songs are available both as singles and as part of a Track Pack, so please carefully consider your purchases before downloading.
Rock Band
Build your Rock Band library by purchasing these song game tracks. For song credits, visit www.RockBand.com.
“Breaking The Law (Live)” – Judas Priest ($1.99)
“Grinder (Live)” – Judas Priest ($1.99)
“Living After Midnight (Live)” – Judas Priest ($1.99)
“Metal Gods (Live)” – Judas Priest ($1.99)
“Rapid Fire (Live)” – Judas Priest ($1.99)
“Steeler (Live)” – Judas Priest ($1.99)
“The Rage (Live)” – Judas Priest ($1.99)
“United (Live)” – Judas Priest ($1.99)
“You Don’t Have To Be Old To Be Wise” – Judas Priest ($1.99)
British Steel Live Pack ($14.99) – Build your Rock Band library by purchasing this song game track pack: British Steel Live Pack. This pack includes “Breaking The Law (Live),” “Grinder (Live),” “Living After Midnight (Live),” “Metal Gods (Live),” “Rapid Fire (Live),” “Steeler (Live),” “The Rage (Live),” “United (Live),” and “You Don’t Have To Be Old To Be Wise (Live)” by Judas Priest.
Rock Band Network
“I’m Made Of Wax, Larry, What Are You Made Of?” by A Day To Remember ($1.99)
“Mordecai” by Between the Buried and Me ($1.99)
“Remedy” by Seether ($1.99)
“Tongue Twister Typo” by Blackmarket ($0.99)
“When I Get Home You’re So Dead” – by Mayday Parade ($2.99)
God of War 3: Chaos Trailer
Download the GOD OF WAR® III — Chaos Trailer. IN THE END, THERE WILL ONLY BE CHAOS… God of War III finds Kratos raining carnage and destruction upon the Gods who have betrayed him and the entire Ancient Greek world. Armed with his deadly double-chained blades, Kratos will take on mythology’s darkest creatures while solving intricate puzzles on his merciless quest to destroy Olympus and the mighty Zeus himself.
File size: 75 MB (HD), 122 MB (1080)
LittleBigPlanet PSP – Turbo! Level Kit Trailer
PLAY, CREATE, SHARE…Everywhere. Put the pedal to the metal with this massive vehicle-based pack. Race, battle and bounce your way through six completely new levels. And the fun doesn’t stop there, with hundreds more bits and pieces to fill your Popit, you can create turbo-powered vehicular contraptions of your very own.
Download the Turbo! Level Kit trailer today! NOTE: Manual Update required
File size: 52 MB
3D Dot Game Heroes – “The Hero Your Hero Could Be” Trailer
Watch this short vignette to find out how awesome your hero could be if he was created in the 3D Dot Game Heroes 3D character editor. Retro chic meets modern sleek in this, the ultimate love letter to retro gamers. Seamlessly fusing new and old, the golden era of gaming is felt in every detail of this adventure.
File size: 35 MB (HD)
Crysis 2: “The Wall” Trailer
Experience the first trailer for Cryteks new genre defining shooter: Crysis 2.
File size: 145 MB (HD 1080)
Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City Network Trailer
The all new trailer for Grand Theft Auto’s highly acclaimed downloadable episodes, The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony.
File size: 49 MB (HD)
Kick-Ass Trailer
This Kick-Ass Trailer shows this third-person action fighting game based on the movie of the same name. The game takes the player through different mission areas of New York, facing petty thugs and even powerful mob bosses. The player’s main goal is to bring justice back to the city — at any cost, including frantic Superhero action.
File size: 72 MB (HD)
PS3 Themes
3D Dot Games Heroes Theme (free)
File size: 2.97 MB
After Burner Climax Premium Theme ($3.99)
File size: 5.43 MB
Downloadable Games (also available from PS3 Storefront)
Harvest Moon: Hero Of Leaf Valley $29.99
The tranquil town of Leaf Valley is scheduled for demolition! The heartless Funland Corporation is going to bulldoze the town and replace it with an amusement park unless its citizens can find a way to stop them! You’ll need to grow crops, raise animals, and mine ores and gems to help save Leaf Valley and your family farm. With a branching storyline and multiple endings, how you choose to save the town is up to you!
ESRB Rated E
File size: 120 MB
Game Demos (also available from PS3 Storefront) (free)
ModNation Racers PSP Demo
Be among the first to test drive ModNation Racers on the PSP system! In this free demo you’ll experience kart racing for a new generation as you boost, drift, and race your way through two over-the-top tracks using any one of six racers. Plus, get a taste for the game’s revolutionary Create tools with the Track Studio preview! Drive your idea of the perfect track into existence for the included Track Theme, then tweak it and test drive it.
ESRB Rated E
File size: 135 MB
Add-on Game Content (also available from PS3 Storefront)
LittleBigPlanet PSP – Wilderness Costume (free)
PLAY, CREATE, SHARE…Everywhere. LittleBigPlanet’s critically acclaimed “PLAY, CREATE, SHARE” experience, makes its way to the PSP system with a completely new Sackboy adventure. Get these free costumes from the Wilderness Theme Pack. NOTE: Manual Update required
File size: 2.51 MB
LittleBigPlanet PSP – Wilderness Theme Pack ($2.99)
PLAY, CREATE, SHARE…Everywhere. Download a new set of costumes and CREATE materials to create your own Wilderness levels! The Wilderness Theme Pack includes 5 Costume items, 13 CREATE Materials, 15 Stickers, 1 Music kit, and 1 Background. NOTE: Manual Update required
File size: 2.64 MB
LittleBigPlanet PSP – Sackfari Explorers Costume (free)
PLAY, CREATE, SHARE…Everywhere. LittleBigPlanet’s critically acclaimed “PLAY, CREATE, SHARE” experience, makes its way to the PSP system with a completely new Sackboy adventure. Get this free costume from the Jungle Sackfari Explorers Theme Pack. NOTE: Manual Update required
File size: 1.35 MB
LittleBigPlanet PSP – Sackfari Explorers Theme Pack ($2.99)
PLAY, CREATE, SHARE…Everywhere. Download a new set of costumes and CREATE materials to create your own Jungle Sackfari levels! The Jungle Sackfari Explorers Pack includes 4 Costumes and 12 Stickers. NOTE: Manual Update required
File size: 1.46 MB
Today the previously announce DLC for Bioshock 2 has finally arrived. With a arrival of the DLC comes a game update that increases the total achievement points to 1150g,
The first bit of DLC is 2 new downloadable characters for 160MSP. Zigo and Blanche are the two preorder characters that were available for preordering the game from gamestop. Now they can be yours for about $2. Add to your Xbox 360 download queue
The second piece of DLC is free, and is entitled “kill ’em kindly. Supposedly you go around with golf clubs killing everyone. Sounds like fun and it’s free, so get downloading. Nothing is better then free, well except getting paid for playing video games; but that only happens in fairy tales right? Download the Kill ‘em Kindly add-on for free here.
The final bit of DLC is The Rapture Metro Pack which includes 6 new maps, a new Rebirth feature (basically prestige for when you hit level 50), new masks, new “trials” and 3 new achievements.
The achievements that are included are:
Aqua Incognita – 25
Play at least one non-private match on each downloadable content map.
Territorial – 25
Win a non-private match in each of the 6 new maps.
NAMCO BANDAI Games America Inc have announced today that NARUTO™ SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja® Heroes 3 is now available at retailers nationwide for the Sony Playstation Portable (PSP).
Based on the popular animated NARUTO SHIPPUDEN series from VIZ Media, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 refines the series’ trademark fighting mechanics by offering an all-new adventure mode, a new roster of fierce ninja, and robust multiplayer battles.
In NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 players can re-live the NARUTO SHIPPUDEN storyline up to the Hidan and Kakuzu arc in the new Master Road mode as they follow the Nine-Tail Fox ninja in his continuing adventures to save his friend Sasuke. With more than 80 action-packed missions, players’ skills are put to the test as they face intense battles using one of more than 50 characters.
Now for the first time in the series’ history, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 expands upon the series’ renowned fighting engine and updates it for four-player brawls. Through an ad-hoc connection, players can team up with a partner to take on opponents while unleashing devastating Jutsu attacks or single-handedly battle multiple enemies. Additionally, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3 features a three-player cooperative mode which allows players to experience select adventures in the main story. As Naruto explores familiar settings throughout the Leaf and Sand Villages, players will also be tasked to complete specific missions including winning battles, evading danger and much more.
What happens when you include multiplayer together with Assassin’s Creed? I have a feeling it is going to be extremely awesome. We shall see how it turns out this holiday season because Ubisoft has released information (and a teaser site) that Brotherhood will be released sometime during the holidays and it will include a multiplayer aspect.
As to what the multiplayer aspect holds is up for speculation however it is said that there will be a deathmatch mode in which various assassins shall be pitted against one another to find out who will be the best in the end. It would also be interesting if there was another mode included allowing co-op assassination to clear a city of guards or eliminate a target.
Ezio is in Rome and this Assassin’s Creed is looking to continue where the last story left off, with a fully assembled brotherhood of assassins. Another speculation is that the selectable characters may be the rest of the brotherhood seen during the ending of Assassin’s Creed II. The single player story itself is said to reach up to 15 hours. Whether or not this is with collecting every single thing and exploration is not said but it is always hard to resist finding the tallest point in the game and seeing how far you can fly from it, literally.
Looks like those of us in North America will be seeing the above special edition if we so choose to purchase it. Fallout: New Vegas’ creators Bethesda has released information about this special edition today and here is what it includes:
“Lucky 7” poker chips. Each of the seven poker chips was designed to represent chips from the major casinos found on the New Vegas strip and throughout the Mojave Wasteland.
A fully customized Fallout: New Vegas deck of cards. Each card in the pack has been uniquely illustrated to depict characters and factions found within the game. Use the cards to play poker, blackjack or Caravan, an original card game that was created by Obsidian especially for New Vegas!
A recreation of the game’s highly coveted “Lucky 38” platinum chip.
A hardcover graphic novel “All Roads”, that tells the story of some of the characters and events that lead up to Fallout: New Vegas. “All Roads” was written by Chris Avellone, the game’s creative director, and created in conjunction with Dark Horse Comics.
‘The Making of Fallout: New Vegas’ DVD. This documentary DVD will contain exclusive video content, including interviews with the developers in which they take you from concept to creation and discuss topics such as story, setting, legacy of the Fallout franchise and more.
Currently the special edition is set to go for sale at $20 more than standard asking price at $79.99 in North America. Only $69.99 however for the PC version. Prices from Gamestop, so subject to change as time goes on. Currently there is no set release date, instead Bethesda has slated Fallout: New Vegas for sometime in Fall of 2010.
Lost Planet 2 Publisher: Capcom Developer: Capcom Platforms: Xbox 360 (Reviewed), PlayStation 3 Release Date: May 11th, 2010
Lost Planet 2 has returned, bigger and better than ever. Utilizing Capcom’s very own MT-Framework 2.0 engine, you can see and feel the improvements straight off the bat. The controls feel more fluid and the setting has shifted from the snow-covered environment of the original to lush, jungle settings, underwater, desert and even space. All of the weapons you’ve grown to love are back. Everything from the original game is here PLUS more , even grenades have their very own category as there are so many of them to choose from. You won’t be disappointed with the amount of weapons and VS’s (Mech armoured suits) and other machinery you can hop into and take for a ride or even fly this time around. Not to mention special weapons of MASS destruction that can take down enemies and Akrid in one shot.
Lost Planet 2 gameplay is action packed and high paced if you’re not taking on the Akrid you’re taking on the many different factions inhabiting the world of E.D.N III. There is never a dull moment. If you’re looking for an action packed game then you’ve come to the right place as Capcom have hit a home run in this department. Combat is the same as it was in the original, but with a few little extra’s thrown in. There are a total of three gauges. First there is your standard health gauge which goes down when you take damage. Then we have the T-Gauge that we all know from Lost Planet. The T-Gauge slowly restores your health when you have taken damage, but at the same time it slowly depletes its reserves. The T-Gauge has been updated in Lost Planet 2 and you get to see what it is capable of doing in the opening scene. Labeled the “Harmonizer”, this little gadget restores your health faster and drains your T-Gauge meter at the same speed it takes to re-gain your health. This comes in handy when you’ve taken a huge hit and are about to die. When activated it your health replenishes almost instantly at the cost of any remaining T-Energy.
The third gauge is called the “Battle Gauge”. I like to call this your OVERALL team health. This is shared amongst your team mates. This gauge is possibly one of the most important ones. You don’t want this one to deplete because if it does, then it’s GAME OVER. The way it works is quite simple. If you die, 500 points are deducted from the Battle gauge. If you activate a data post you gain 500 points. Don’t die and keep on activating data posts and your Battle gauge will always stay full and that GAME OVER screen will never appear. BUT … beware – the Akrid you encounter, especially in the boss battles, have other plans as most of them are capable of killing you with one swipe and by doing so your Battle gauge will and can deplete in a matter of minutes if you don’t plan and fight as a team. This is where teamwork is very important. Another feature of data posts is that they also are used as spawn points. So it would be wise to activate as many as possible because if you don’t and you die you might be spawned back right at the beginning of the level and have to run back all the way to where you died to continue fighting.
The Lost Planet 2 campaign is broken down into 6 episodes. The campaign is quite lengthy taking approx 10-15 hours to complete even on easy. When starting up campaign mode you feel like you’re in the wrong menu system as it looks very much like an online lobby where you can invite your mates to join you, create private slots, allow public slots for randoms to come in and play along with you, or lock everything up and only play with the AI. It’s a very different feel to playing a campaign but Capcom wanted Lost Planet 2 to be 4 player co-op experience, where you can hop into someone else’s game or get your mates to jump into yours as seamlessly and easily as possible. I believe Capcom have succeeded with this quite well.
When playing the campaign mode, a few issues were encountered. Firstly there are no checkpoints to save your progress. As previously mentioned, there are re-spawn points that are available by activating data posts. These only allow you to return to the action if you are killed. However, if you need to exit the game, you can’t return to that last data post you activated on that level. You will need to start from the beginning of that episode and run through the entire level again. In addition, you can’t pause or exit the game whilst in the middle of a level due to Lost Planet 2’s online feature. If you need to quit, you’ll need to run through and complete the entire level before it will allow you to exit out.
If you decide to play on your own you can take up to three AI characters along with you for the ride. The AI are fairly competent in performing simple tasks such as healing and taking on the Akrid/Factions/enemies, but as the difficulty levels increase and tasks become more complex you will end up having to do most of the work yourself. One thing missing when playing only with the AI is the ability to command them to perform specific tasks, therefore freeing you up to do other things.
Lost Planet 2 is quite linear – there aren’t too many opportunities for exploration or side missions. Maps do occasionally branch out a little and AI or Human partners can take specific paths but ultimately they end up joining back up again. Most of the objectives have you moving from one location to the next, destroying as many Akrid along the way and activating all the data posts you can find. Once you reach your objective a timer will countdown and the mission/level will complete. Make sure you have done everything on the level before stepping into the objective sector as once the timer appears you cannot stop it.
Lost Planet 2 has a huge focus on customization. As you progress through the game or whilst playing online, your character gains experience and levels up. By leveling up, you unlock special abilities, weapons, call signs and different skins. There are hundreds of items you can unlock – and this is where the re-playability of Lost Planet 2 comes into full effect. Whilst you can finish the game in 10-15 hours, grabbing yourself some pretty cool items, weapons and gear along the way, you probably would have only unlocked a 1/10 of what’s available in the game. If you were to sit down and play Lost Planet 2 and attempt to unlock every single item you’d probably be looking at close to 200 hours of game play.
A great feature is the ability to take your character with you anywhere you go. If you join another person’s campaign or play online in multiplayer your character will be there in all its glory for everyone to see. Gone are the days of having to use a generic character with a set of special abilities, weapons and skins when playing multiplayer or joining a friend’s co-op game. All your hard work can be taken with you. Everything you collect along the way in any campaign and all the experience you gain in multiplayer is added straight to your character.
Lost Planet 2 online multiplayer supports up to 16 players and has a total of 10 new maps. Online play is very competitive and quite a challenge, it’s probably recommended you play through the campaign first to build up your character then take him/her online and cause some major damage. Capcom have also extended the re-playability of the online maps by creating what they believe is the first of its kind, entitled map layouts. Each map has a total of 4 map layouts. As always, once you become familiar with a map you learn where all the weapons are hidden and where all the secret spots with certain items are located. With the map layouts those items, weapons, VS’s, data posts are all moved around to different locations. For example, when playing Pirate Fortress on layout 1 you know that a specific weapon is located at so and so spot. But when you play Pirate Fortress on layout 2 that weapon is now in a different location on the map. This does spice up the levels to a certain extent as re-playability is increased.
Lost Planet 2 has improved in leaps and bounds from the original. Graphically the environment, special effects and intriguing looking enemies are a pleasure to look at. The game-play is fluid and action-packed, but it is recommended to take on the campaign with human players – as AI lack intelligence in certain areas. There isn’t much in terms of music / soundtrack in Lost Planet 2, however the sound effects are quite impressive – especially with surround sound headphones. Lost Planet 2 was intended to be played with friends – therefore the emphasis on multiplayer is huge. Playing on your own in campaign mode is just not the same as teaming up with 3 of your closest mates and tactically taking down an Akrid 10 stories tall. If you love your action 3rd person shooters and enjoy playing online with mates then Lost Planet 2 is right up your alley.
“The infection is spreading and fear is everywhere in this non-stop survival shooter. Head to South America as a soldier and reporter try to uncover the origin of another zombie outbreak”
Gameloft have outdone themselves with their latest action / shooter for the Apple iPhone / iPod Touch. Zombie Infection is Gameloft very own take on RESIDENT EVIL 5. You take on the role of two characters, Damien Sharp an ex soldier on a mission to find his lost brother and Alex Rayne a report looking to find the truth. The story begins with both Damien & Alex in South America on a chopper flying into the Favela, a location very similar to Resident Evil 5’s African Slum level. If you’ve also played Modern Warfare 2 this level also looks very familiar.
Landing on the roof you take control of Damien and begin your tutorial. Zombie infection uses a over the shoulder, 3rd person style camera control system. The left analog stick allows you to move left, right forward and back. You can look around by using your other thumb or finger and pressing the middle of the screen to swing the view to wherever you want. It does take a little getting used to at first especially when using a weapon. As you’ll need to aim using your right thumb then when you have the shot return your thumb back to the right side to press the fire button.
There is a mini map in the top right side of the screen which will point you in the direction you need to go. The game is quite linear so you really cant get lost. Scattered through out each mission are 6 tokens in the shape of a biohard symbol these are similar to the BSAA medals you find in Resident Evil 5. Finding all of them will result in a reward and also unlock an achievement. YES Gameloft have incorporated 20 trophies/achievements into Zombie Infection. To enable this feature you need to login / register a Gameloft live account. This is shown in more detail in the video review. The great thing about the achievements are they appear very quickly, as soon as you’ve unlocked a specific achievement it will pop up on the screen instantly. At the end of each level you’ll be presented with a stats page on how you went, how long it took you to finish the level, how many tokens you found and also how many achievements/trophies you unlocked.
Zombie infection consists of 12 levels, all the environments are finely rendered in 3D so you can feel as close to the action as possible. Each of the missions can take approx 10-20 mins to complete, with total game play time of roughly 3 hours from start to finish. Starting off in the Favelas, then moving into a Zoo where you get to encounter all sorts of wild animals along with infected humans and mutants all with their own abilities and skills. You also get to take down a giant crocodile (But this time you don’t kill it with a gas canister), other levels consist of mines, on a boat, and even a secret lab !! Well you are on a mission to discover the source of the infection and the plans of the ones who created it so you will always end up visiting a secret lab sooner or later.
Gameloft have added some very impressive voice acting in the game, every cut scene has voice and even while your in the middle of the action Damien, Alex and even random characters yell out and speak, which is a nice little touch that makes the game feel more alive.
With the video review covering most of the remaining topics, press play and enjoy the rest of the review.
Gameloft have actually accomplished what many people thought wasn’t possible. They’ve created their very own fun and exciting version Resident Evil, creating a fast, smooth, action packed game with lots of variety in weapons, enemies and storyline. There a few little hiccups with the control system as it does take a bit of getting used to. Specific enemies with projectile weapons are way to accurate and can cause all sorts of problems, best bet is to take them out first then go for the rest. The addition of the brutal and spectacular fatalities is always welcome in a zombie game and are a pleasure to perform as you’ve seen in the video review. If you’re a fan of the Survival Horror and would like to take a the action with you anywhere you go then, hop onto iTunes and download Zombie Infection now. You will not be dissapointed as it is by far the best Action/Survival Horror game on the iPhone / iPod Touch at the moment.
Check out the screenshots of the game below in the gallery
